GB2430119A

GB2430119A - Method of downloading data to a mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: GB2430119A
Application number: GB0617955A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Allan; Ian Stevens
Original assignee: TELESCRATCH Ltd
Current assignee: TELESCRATCH Ltd
Priority date: 2005-09-12
Filing date: 2006-09-12
Publication date: 2007-03-14
Also published as: WO2007031746A2; WO2007031746A3; GB0617955D0; GB2430119A8

Abstract

A method for providing download data to a mobile terminal comprises the steps of: receiving a download request from a mobile terminal: determining characteristics of the mobile terminal: generating download data in dependence upon the characteristics of the mobile terminal, the download data relating to an image with which a user can interact; and transmitting the download data to a mobile terminal. The downloaded data can be an electronic scratch card displayed as an image on the mobile terminal. User input removes a portion of this image to reveal a second image.

Description

METHOD OF DOWNLOAD DATA DELIVERY

The present invention relates to the provision of a download to a mobile terminal over a telecommunications network. In particular, the present invention relates to the provision of an image download to a mobile telephone handset. More particularly, the present invention relates to the provision of an image download to a mobile telephone handset in which a first image is removable to reveal an underlying image.

Background to the Invention

With the increase in popularity of mobile telephones, the opportunity to use mobile telephones as delivery points has become more and more viable as a cost-effective means of providing both solicited and unsolicited promotional material to a large number of individuals, particularly in the form of an email message.

Mobile telephone handsets have the additional advantage of being capable of receiving downloads. For example, although mobile telephones are provided with a selection of ring-tones provided on the telephone as standard when the mobile handset is purchased, additional ring-tone applications are available which can be downloaded to a mobile telephone on request by a user. Such downloads may be provided free of charge and a promotional tool, for example, to promote the telephone network provider and their services, or may require payment to the supplier of the download in return for use of the download over a specified or over an unlimited time period.

In addition, images such as screensavers and the like are available as downloads to mobile telephones in a similar manner to the ring-tones discussed above.

A further source of interest and fun enjoyed by many mobile phone users are the games provided both on the handset at the point of purchase and also available in the form of downloads, on request. However, a game download is typically only available to specified makes and models of mobile telephone handsets, each different mobile telephone make and model having specific capabilities which may or may not be appropriate to correctly display and run the game from the provided S download. Downloading such a game onto a handset which does not have the required capabilities to correctly display and run the game will result in the game, once downloaded (provided this is possible) being incorrectly displayed and/or run on the handset.

Thus delivery of a game download to a mobile terminal requires significant input from the user, who must determine if their handset is compatible with the games download in question before requesting that the download be delivered to their phone, to ensure that the game can be played correctly on their handset.

Thus, there is no selectivity with respect to the specifications and thus capabilities of the destination mobile handset during the process of supplying download.

Instead, the mobile handset make and model characteristics, and the suitability of the handset make and model for the games download in question, are determined at the point of request for the download by the individual making the request.

As mentioned above, it is well understood that mobile phones provide a great opportunity for delivering promotional material to their owners. It is also well understood that mobile phone owners do not generally appreciate having unsolicited advertising material being delivered to their handsets. However, if such material could be generated in the form of a download which is desired by the handset owner (either in response to a request or unsolicited) the advertising material is more likely to be appreciated by the handset owner and thus the effectiveness of the promotional strategy vastly increased.

Thus, if promotional material could be provided to a mobile handset in a form in which it could be enjoyed by a user, the promotional effectiveness of such a method for delivery of advertising material would be vastly enhanced.

S It is generally accepted that the ability of a user to interact with a download, for example, as is done with the game downloads discussed above, makes the download far more attractive to a user. However, as discussed above, the game downloads are specifically designed to suit the capabilities of specific mobile handsets.

There is therefore a need in the prior art to be able to provide a download for a handset, the download being generated in dependence upon the capabilities of the handset to which it is to be sent such that the download allows the handset to be used as an interface to allow the user to interact with downloaded images for the delivery of promotional material.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to address the problems of the prior art.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for providing an image download data to a mobile terminal, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a download request from a mobile terminal; determining characteristics of the mobile terminal; generating download data in dependence upon the characteristics of the mobile terminal, the download data relating to an image with which a user can interact; and transmitting the download data to a mobile terminal.

Throughout the specification it will be appreciated that the term mobile terminal is intended to include, but is not limited to, mobile telecommunication devices such as a mobile telephone handset, a personal digital assistant (PDA), lap-top computer, and the like, and is also intended to include smart phones such as PDA types devices with telephony features and functions.

For example, where the mobile terminal is a mobile telephone handset, the mobile terminal characteristics may include information relating to the make and/or model of the handset, information relating to the hardware in situ on the handset, the capability of the handset to produce sound, and any other technical data specific to the handset which may determine the version or specification of the image download suitable for that handset and/or the capability of the handset to receive and install or operate the image download data in its intended form.

The download data may be provided to the mobile terminal over a telecommunications network. The telecommunications network may be a wireless network, such as, but not limited to a mobile telecommunications network.

In one embodiment, the step of receiving the download request precedes the step of transmitting the download data to a mobile terminal by less than eight seconds.

Thus, the request is received, and the download data generated and transmitted to a mobile terminal in quick succession.

Alternatively, the step of receiving the download request precedes the step of transmitting the download data by at least eight seconds.

Alternatively, the step of receiving the download request may precede the step of transmitting the download data to a mobile terminal by a longer time period, for example, by at least an hour, a day, or a week, or a month, or longer.

In this way, the request may be made, for example, on a subscription or other similar sign-up basis, to receive download data at predetermined or random time intervals over a predetermined period of time, rather than immediately following the request.

In one embodiment, the characteristics of the mobile terminal include, for example, the display capabilities of the telecommunications device. However, it is to be understood that the characteristics may relate to any one or a combination of: the display characteristics, audio capabilities, video capabilities, and the like, of the mobile terminal.

In such an embodiment, the download data delivered to the mobile terminal enables the mobile terminal display to operate as an electronic scratchcard interface.

Conventional scratch-cards are a paper-based product on which an image or message is printed. The image or message is then concealed using an appropriate removable material. On receipt of such a scratch-card, the user simply scratches away the removable material to reveal the underlying image or message which typically indicates whether the user has won a competition or the like. The concept behind such cards is that the user cannot identify which cards contain a winning image or message before removal of the material as the message carrying such information is concealed until the overlying removable material is scratched away.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal display operates as an electronic scratch-card interface, the download data is delivered to the mobile terminal and is subsequently displayed at the mobile terminal as an image on the mobile terminal display screen. Once displayed at the mobile terminal, a user is able to interact with the mobile terminal via, for example, a joystick or keypad or the like, to selectively identify portions of the image thereby prompting those portions of the image to change to reveal corresponding portions of a further image (which equates to the underlying image in a conventional paper-based scratch- card). In this way, a user is able to interact with an image displayed at the mobile terminal in a similar manner to conventional paper-based scratch cards to reveal a second previously concealed image on the mobile terminal display screen.

Thus, in the present invention, the image data may comprise download data relating to electronic scratch-card technology, also known as scratch and reveal' technology. Using scratch and reveal' technology enables users to participate in promotional and competition-based downloads using the display of the mobile terminal as an electronic scratch-card interface.

In any aspect according to the present invention, the download data may include a java midlet.

In one embodiment, the midlet comprises a JAR file. The JAR file may contain images, text and class files. The midlet may further comprise a JAD file.

The term display characteristics' is intended to encompass one or any combination of display screen size, video display capabilities, colour range supported, orientation of display screen, and the like.

In one embodiment, the download data relates to an image determined by the display capabilities of the mobile terminal. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the method may include the steps of displaying the image on a display device of the mobile terminal and receiving user input relating to interaction with that displayed image.

For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the download data relates to a plurality of images. In such an embodiment, the method may further comprise the steps of displaying the first image on a display device of the mobile terminal; receiving a user input to the mobile terminal; and revealing at least a portion of a second image in place of at least a portion of the first image in dependence upon the received user input.

In a further embodiment, after revealing at least a portion of a second image in place of at least a portion of a first image in dependence upon received user input, the second image may be fully or partially displayed on a display device of the mobile terminal, further user input provided to the mobile terminal, and at least a portion of a further image revealed in place of at least a portion of the second image in dependence upon the further received user input.

it will be appreciated that, in this way, all or part of one image can be altered in dependence upon user input to reveal all or part of a further image and all or part of that further image can subsequently be altered in dependence upon user input to reveal all or part of another image, and this process may be repeated as many times as desired using the appropriate number of images.

Splash, Scratch and Reveal' (SSR) is a term created by the Applicants for a specific application of the electronic scratch card technology previously described.

SSR involves the delivery of a download (the SSR application) of branded content to a mobile terminal on request such that the display screen of the mobile terminal becomes an electronic scratch-card interface and displays an initial image to the user on the display screen. The download image can then be altered, in dependence on user input to reveal a further image detailing information relating to branded promotional material, for example, a new product announcement, a discount voucher, a prize draw entry, or the like.

Thus, one embodiment of the present invention comprises downloading an SSR application to a mobile terminal.

For example, the first time a user requests such a download, the download may be delivered to the mobile terminal and, as not already present on the mobile terminal will be downloaded. Once the SSR technology has been used once at that mobile terminal, subsequent requests for the image download will not require download of the SSR application to provide the SSR technology to the mobile terminal, but instead will only require download of the data relating to the SSR image to be displayed on the terminal during operation of the SSR technology.

In one embodiment, the download request is received from a mobile terminal, for example via a mobile telecommunications network. Alternatively, the download request may be received from a server acting as an intermediary, for example, passing on a request received via a telecommunications network. In another embodiment, the download may be locally stored content which is deliverable to a mobile telephone handset from, for example a docking station, via Bluetooth or WiFi. The docking station may comprise an electronic kiosk or the like and may be publicly located for convenient access by a user, for example in shops, pubs, train stations and the like.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method for receiving an image download on a mobile terminal over a telecommunications network, the method comprising sending a download request to a mobile network, and receiving download data from the network, the download data being generated by the network in dependence upon characteristics of the mobile terminal determined by the network, the download data relating to an image with which a user can interact; displaying the image on a display device of the mobile terminal; providing user input to the mobile terminal; and altering at least a portion of the image in dependence upon the received user input.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method for displaying first and second images on a mobile terminal, the method comprising receiving download data relating to first and second images, with at least one of which a user can interact, displaying the first image on a display device of the mobile terminal; receiving a user input; and revealing a portion of the second image in place of at least a portion of the first image in dependence upon the received user input.

For any embodiment of the present invention, user input may occur by means of a suitable input device associated with the mobile terminal with which a user can interact, for example, a joy-stick, button(s), key(s), touch sensor(s), voice control device and the like, available for operation by a user.

In one embodiment, the download data is received from a network, the download data being generated by the network in dependence upon characteristics of the mobile terminal determined by the network.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method for providing image data to a mobile terminal, including supplying requested image data to a mobile terminal wherein the image data relates to an electronic scratch-card or gaming card.

In one embodiment according to the present invention, at least a portion of one of the images is a user-captured image, such as a photograph or image captured and available at the mobile terminal whose source is independent of the download data.

For example, the user-captured image may be a photograph taken using the mobile terminal itself, or may be a photograph taken by any other device, including another mobile terminal, and transmitted to the mobile terminal receiving the download data. Alternatively, the user-captured image may comprise an image created by any means using the mobile terminal itself or by any other device, including another mobile terminal, and transmitted to the mobile terminal. 11)

Any user-captured image will be manipulated by the download application to create a suitable image for a method according to any aspect of the present invention.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications network comprising a receiver operable to receive a download request from a mobile terminal; a determining unit operable to generate characteristic data relating to characteristics of that mobile terminal; an image generation unit operable to generate download data relating to an image with which a user may interact, in dependence upon such characteristic data; and a transmitter operable to transmit such generated image data to the mobile terminal.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a mobile terminal having a display device and a controller operable to receive a download relating to an image with which a user can interact and wherein the image is adapted for display on the display device, display a first image on the display device, receive a user input and display a portion of a second image on the display device in place of a corresponding portion of the first image in dependence upon the received user input.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a mobile terminal having a display device and a controller operable to display a first image on the display device, to receive a user input and to display a portion of a second image on the display device in place of a corresponding portion of the first image in dependence upon a received user input.

A further aspect of the invention provides a computer program product comprising computer code portions operable to perform a method according to any preceding aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless telecommunications

network as known in the prior art;

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal as known in the

prior art;

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the provision of an image download to a mobile telephone embodying one aspect of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating the request for an image download and its subsequent receipt embodying a further aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The present invention relates to the provision of image downloads over a wireless telecommunications network, such as that shown in figure 1.

Figure 1 illustrates a network as known in the prior art. Network resource 10 comprises a base station 20, a transmit/receiver antenna 30 and a mobile terminal 40. The network resource 10 communicates wirelessly with mobile terminal 40 via an air interface 50. The network resources can be provided by any appropriate combination of known devices. Communication of data between the network resource 10 and the mobile terminal 40 occurs in a conventional manner.

Figure 2 illustrates a mobile terminal, such as a mobile telephone handset 40, as known in the prior art. The mobile telephone handset 40 is provided with a display device 60 for displaying image data to a user, a transmit/received antenna 70 for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to a network, a controller 80 operable to display images on the display device and a user input device 90 via which a user may input data for processing by the controller 80. The mobile terminal operates in a conventional manner.

Figure 3 illustrates a base station 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Base station 20 is provided with a transmit/receive antenna 100 for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to an antenna 30, a controller 110 for processing the incoming download request, and a generation unit 120 for generating download data in dependence upon the characteristics of the mobile terminal making the download request,. Base station 20 operates in a conventional manner.

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the provision of an image download to a mobile telephone embodying one aspect of the present invention i.e. the processes involved at the backend.

In step A, a request for an application download from a mobile terminal, such as a mobile telephone handset 40 (see figure 2) is received via air interface 50 by antenna 100 of base station 20.

Once the request is received by base station 20, the request is processed (step B) to identify the mobile telephone handset type (step C). Once the mobile telephone handset type has been determined, this information is further processed to determine if the identified mobile telephone handset type is a type supported by the system (step D).

In the event that the mobile telephone handset type is supported, the received download request is further processed to determine the capabilities of the identified mobile telephone handset type, for example, the size and Orientation of the mobile telephone handset display screen 60 (step El).

Once the capabilities of the mobile telephone handset type have been determined (step E2), download data is generated in dependence upon the detected capabilities, for example, the size and orientation of the images intended for display on the display screen 60 of the mobile terminal handset 40 are selected to correspond to the capabilities of the mobile telephone handset display screen 60.

After generation of the download data in accordance with the determined characteristics of the mobile telephone handset 40, the generated download data is transmitted to the mobile terminal handset 40 (step E3), where it is received and installed.

In the event that the mobile telephone handset type is not a type which is supported by the system, notification, for example in the form of a text message, is transmitted to the mobile telephone handset 40, alerting the user that no download will be transmitted to the mobile telephone handset 40.

The download data includes a java midlet that conforms to the MIDP standards. It is a multi-threaded application that uses both canvases and forms. The midlet comprises a JAR file, typically containing images, text and class files, as well as a JAD file.

The backend consists of a script that dynamically creates the JAR file. The application on the handset does not need to know anything about the backend. A PHP script parses the device's user agent string to uniquely identify the device. A serialised, optimised database of device characteristics exists keyed by device.

Using the unique identifier as a key to this database a look up is done to obtain screen size, display characteristics and other attributes. If the look up fails the parameters of a generic device are used.

A call to the GD library is made passing in a base image and the width and height of the device's screen to obtain a new image. This is done for the top image and N number of images to be revealed.

A call to the jar program is made passing in images, class files, text files and any other assets required for this instance of the game. A jad file is also created.

Finally the resulting jar and jad files are served to the requesting device. This process take place in real time, or may alternatively be staged so as to delay by a specified or random amount of time, the request and the provision of the download data.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved at the mobile telephone handset 40 during the process described above i.e. the processes involved at the front end.

A request for download data is transmitted from the antenna 70 of mobile telephone handset 40 through the air interface 50 to antenna 30 of base station 20, as previously described, and in the conventional manner, as shown at step 0 of figure 5.

After receipt of the request for download data, the request is processed as previously described with respect to figure 4 and the requested download data is transmitted to the mobile telephone handset 40 (see step 3 of figure 4), or a notification is sent to the mobile telephone handset 40 that no download data will be transmitted (see step F of figure 4).

The download data, or notification referred to above, is then received by the mobile telephone handset 40 via antenna 70 (steps Hi and I of figure 5, respectively).

The download data referred to above may contain both the download application software and the data relating to one or more images with which the user can interact, or may omit the download application software. Thus, the first time download data is requested by a user, the download data will include both the download application software and the data relating to the image(s) with which the user can interact (step H2' of figure 5). On subsequent requests for download data from the same mobile telephone handset 40, only the data relating to the image(s) will be transmitted, as the download application software will already be present on the mobile telephone handset 40 (step H2).

In figures 4 and 5, the download data includes data relating to a plurality of images with which a user may interact once the images are displayed on the display screen of the mobile telephone handset 40, by means of operating a keypad and/or joystick or the like of the mobile telephone handset 40.

For example, once downloaded to the mobile telephone handset 40, it is envisaged that a first image is displayed on the display screen 60 of the mobile telephone handset 40. The user can then interact with that image by controlling a cursor shown on the display screen 60 of the mobile telephone handset 40 by operating the keypad and/or joystick of the mobile telephone handset 40 to position the cursor over a selected portion of the displayed image. Movement of the cursor across the image will result in those portions of the image over which the cursor is moved to reveal at least a portion of a second image in place of that portion of the original image corresponding to the area of the image over which the cursor was moved under the direction of the user. In this way, the mobile telephone handset is operating as an electronic scratch-card interface, allowing a user of the mobile telephone handset 40 to enjoy the experience of a conventional paper-based scratch-card game in an electronic format through the medium of the mobile telephone handset 40.

The download data is delivered as a Java midlet that consists of the following parts: 1) The Splash The application starts and a splash screen is displayed. This may be an image, text, or a combination of both and may include links to separate screens that provide further information about the application, for example, instructions, terms and conditions and the like. Depending on the specific application and/or the mobile terminal type, the application will determine whether it is more appropriate to display a downloaded image, construct an image from text, or display text only. Criteria such as the device screen size, and whether the device has known bugs are factors in this decision.

The splash may be delivered within a MIDP Form or a Canvas (which may be scrollable) depending on the specific application.

2) The Scratch and Reveal The scratching part of the application is implemented using a number of Java Image objects and off-screen Graphics buffers, bespoke cursor functions, cursor movement queues and timers. Due to performance/memory limitations of typical mobile devices and the lack of floating point operations, the code is highly optimised, and there areworkarounds for common bugs found in Java implementations on some devices.

Typically the cursor may be moved by using phone function keys or a stylus (for touch- screens) and the application works with either means of user input, although it will be appreciated that the processing is different for each. The former uses a timer-based alarm to poll for key presses. If a cursor key is pressed the cursor moves in the relevant direction at a speed determined by for how long the key has been continuously-pressed and an "acceleration" parameter passed to the application. Stylus events are simpler in that MIOP functions can be used to provide the precise location of the cursor at any particular time.

All cursor movements are stored in a queue rather than being used to update the screen immediately as the latter has been found to impact on performance on some devices.

The image displayed on the screen is stored in a Java Image object, as is the background image that will be eventually revealed. When the application is not dealing with cursor movement events, it will attempt to process pending events in the cursor movement queue which result in updates to the screen. Each event may result in part of the background image being revealed and to provide a good-looking reveal, each cursor movement is displayed as a "lozenge" made up of a rectangle with rounded ends. For rectangles that are not vertical or horizontal, Bresenham's algorithm is used to determine the edges to the rectangle, as MIDP does not support floating point arithmetic. The circular ends are displayed as a series of overlapping rectangles, which are read from an array generated.by the application at startup.

Vertical and horizontal rectangles are displayed by using Java Graphics clipping rectangles applied to the background image. Other rectangles are displayed by updating a "mask" that the application maintains, and using that mask to determine which pixels of the displayed image need to be updated. The MLDP1.0 version of the application supports only vertical and horizontally-aligned rectangles, and diagonal scratches are displayed as a number of these and can appear jagged. The MIDP2.O version supports the display of diagonal rectangles.

When one or more cursor movement events has been processed, the application optionally displays a cursor image over the final image and requests that the screen be redrawn.

3) Parameters Parameters are passed to the application as part of the.jad file and are used to specify, for example, the width of each scratch, the URLs of images to be downloaded from the server, various text messages to be displayed and the like.

An application delivered as download data in accordance with the present invention has been designed to run on a wide variety of handsets and the current version conforms to the MIDPI.0 specification. Enhanced versions of the download data have been developed to run on more recent phones and these use MIDP2.0 and/or additional APIs.

Future versions of the application may require the following functionality: 1. MIDP 2.0 features.

2. Access to the camera 3. Access to the WAP browser 4. Access to persistent storage on the phone (RMS) 5. SMS sending capabilities 6. Access to manufacturer-specific APIs The download may be requested by a mobile terminal and received by the mobile terminal via a kiosk or similar base unit located locally to the user of the mobile terminal. Such kiosks may be provided in public places, such as, for example, train stations, coffee shops, bus stations, public bars, shopping centres and the like, for convenient use by the user of a mobile terminal.

The following are offered by way of non-limiting examples of how the download may be requested and/or delivered by means of such kiosks: (I) The kiosk may display the download content available for download to a mobile terminal and a WAP site identified so that the user may request the download using said WAP site identifier. The request is processed and the download generated and delivered to the mobile terminal as previously described.

(ii) A user may make contact with the kiosk using the mobile terminal, for example, by means of Bluetooth connection, whereupon the kiosk will prompt the user to input their mobile telephone number to the kiosk.

The kiosk will then create a WAP/SMS push to a server, for example, via broadband, thereby providing the mobile telephone number to the server. On receipt of the mobile telephone number of the mobile terminal making the request, the server will use existing database information to identify the mobile telephone associated with the mobile telephone number and thus the mobile terminal type. A download can then be generated in dependence upon the detected mobile terminal type and provided to the mobile terminal of the user as previously described.

(iii) A user may make contact with the kiosk using the mobile terminal, for example, by means of Bluetooth connection, at which point the kiosk will prompt the user to select their mobile terminal type from a list, such as a drop-down list, for example. On selecting their mobile terminal type from the list provided by the kiosk, the kiosk wilt then contact a remote server directly, embedding the data relating to the mobile terminal type selected by the user in the data stream.

The server will then generate the download data in dependence upon the data received from the kiosk and transmit the generated download data directly to the kiosk. The download data is then onwardly transmitted by the kiosk to the mobile terminal, for example, by Bluetooth connection. In this example, the kiosk interacts directly with the server for both transmitting the request for the download and receiving the download for forwarding on to the mobile terminal. Thus, this example allows the request and delivery of download data by and to a mobile terminal without the use of a mobile telephone network, if desired.

This electronic scratch-card interface concept may be utilised in many ways, several of which are discussed below by way of non-limiting example: 1. Promotional Campaign The electronic scratch-card technology of the present application may be used in combination with a mobile telephone handset 40 in a promotional campaign to deliver advertising material direct to a user wherever they happen to be at the time of receipt of the download data to their mobile telephone handset 40.

The user transmits a request to, for example, a premium SMS number, advertised in respect of the promotional campaign. This request is received by a base station, as previously described, the mobile telephone handset type is identified and, if supported, the capabilities of the handset are determined and a download generated in dependence upon those capabilities (for example, by sizing and orienting of the images incorporated in the download and intended for display on the display screen 60 of the mobile telephone handset 40 to which the download is to be transmitted).

The download data is then transmitted to the mobile telephone handset 40 by means of a WAP push. The download is accepted by the user of the mobile telephone handset 40 on receipt, for example by operating the keypad of the mobile telephone handset 40, thereby installing the download data on the mobile telephone handset. On the first occasion, the download data will include both the download application software and the data relating to the images to the displayed on the display screen 60 of the mobile telephone handset 40. On further requests for download data from that mobile telephone handset 40, only the data relating to the images to be displayed will be transmitted to the mobile telephone handset 40 as the download application software will already be present on the mobile telephone handset 40.

On installation of the download data on the mobile telephone handset, a first image will be displayed on the display screen 60. The user then interacts with the image, as previously described, to selectively reveal part or all of a second image by movement of a cursor across those selected portions of the displayed first image.

The second image which is revealed to the user may comprise any appropriate promotional material, for example, a discount voucher directed towards a selected product or service, a discount code offering a discount on the price of a selected product or service, a voucher entitling the possessor to benefits which can be recouped on purchase of a selected product or service (for example, buy one item and get a second item free), or a voucher for free products or services such a free minutes for their mobile telephone, or any other promotional voucher.

It will be appreciated that any promotional material may be contained in any one or more of the images being delivered to the mobile telephone handset 40 as part of the electronic scratch-card experience.

2. Electronic Lottery-Style Scratch-Card Game It will be understood that the electronic scratch-card interface provided by the mobile telephone handset 40 may be used in a similar manner to paper-based lottery scratchcards, but presented in an electronic format. For example, the first image delivered to the mobile telephone handset 40 and displayed on display screen 60 may comprise several portions, each of which may be interacted with by a user to selectively reveal an image, number or symbol using the cursor as previously described. Specified combinations of such images, numbers or symbols may result in the user being entitled to a winner's prize, such as money, a gift or a voucher, or any similar reward. Should a user reveal a combination of images, numbers or symbols which do not form a winning combination, the user may be invited to play again, each play cycle optionally requiring payment by the user in order to received the download data relating to the images to be displayed on the display screen 60.

3. Instant Win/Delayed Win Again, this is a competition-based use of the electronic scratch-card interface, where a user transmits a competition entry request to a base station, as described above, for example, by means of a text message directed to a specified promotional number. In response to the request, and after determining that the mobile telephone handset type is supported, a message is transmitted to the mobile telephone handset 40, for example by a WAP push, providing the user with the option of accepting the download by interacting with a keypad and/or joystick of the mobile telephone handset 40. Acceptance of the offer of a download is transmitted to the base station, and the capabilities of the mobile telephone handset 40 are determined and download data generated based on the determined capabilities and transmitted to the mobile telephone handset 40 of the user. The download application software relating to the electronic scratch-card technology need only be transmitted on the first occasion on which a download request is made from that mobile telephone handset 40, as the download application software will already be present on the mobile telephone handset if further download requests are made. Should further download requests be made from that mobile telephone handset 40, only the data relating to the image(s) to be displayed on display screen with which the user can interact will be transmitted to the mobile terminal.

Once the download data is installed on the mobile telephone handset 40, the mobile telephone handset 40 can be used as an electronic scratch-card interface, as previously described. On revealing the second image by moving the cursor over the first image displayed on the display screen 60, the user will discover if they have won a prize and, if so, will be provided with options of how to claim that prize, for example by calling a winner's telephone number. Once the user has played the game once, a prompt may be displayed on the display screen, offering the user the option of playing again. On selecting such an option, a further download request will be transmitted to the base station, and further download data generated in dependence on the capabilities of the mobile telephone handset 40 transmitted from the base station to the handset 40, this time the download data omitting the download application software, which is already present on the mobile telephone handset 40. A fresh image will be displayed on the display screen 60 and the user may interact with the image using the display screen as an electronic scratch-card interface, as previously described.

4. Games The use of the mobile telephone handset 40 as an electronic scratch-card interface can be extended to games using the scratch-card concept in combination with user- captured information, such as photographs and the like. For example, in a social situation with friends, a user may request a download from a base station as previously described. Once the download data containing the scratch-card application software is delivered to the mobile telephone handset 40, the user may be prompted to take photographs of each friend present. When the game is then played the user will be presented with an image on the display screen 60 with which they can interact by means of the cursor, as previously described, to reveal selected portions of a second image, the second image being one of the photographs which the user took of the friends present. The second image may be selected at random from the provided photographs and the game used to select which of the assembled individuals should carry Out a given task, for example, buying the next round of drinks, or undertaking a challenge provided by the rest of the group, or any other suitable action.

A further extension of the game discussed above involves a user request for download data and generation and transmission of download data in dependence on the capabilities of the mobile telephone handset 40 from which the request is being made, but where, rather than requiring photographic input from the user, the game will prompt the user to identify their current location i.e. a pub or coffee house in which the user is located. On transmission of this information by, for example, WAP push, to a base station, the information will be passed to a controller and processed and download data generated in dependence on the capabilities of the mobile telephone handset 40 and the location information, and the download data transmitted to the mobile telephone handset 40. Once downloaded the mobile telephone handset 40 will act as an electronic scratch-card interface by displaying a first image on the display screen 60 and revealing a second image on interaction by the user by means of keypad or joystick as previously discussed. The second image will relate to a nearby pub or coffee house to which the user can then proceed. In this way, the social event may be spontaneous and fun, with the location choices driven by electronic scratch-card results, rather than the decision having to be made by the user.

6. Scratchology A further game may involve detection of the way in which a user chooses to selectively move the cursor across a first image to reveal a second image when interacting with an electronic scratch-card. The user request and subsequent generation and download data transmission is as previously described. The movement of the cursor of the user is detected as the user interacts with a first image to reveal at least a portion of a second image. The user is then provided with a light-hearted assessment of their personality traits dependent on the detected cursor movements, such as whether the user is thorough, or artistic or Cautious in nature.

7. Trading Cards The second image which is revealed on movement of the cursor over a first image, could be collected and saved by the user of the mobile telephone handset 40 as an electronic trading card, i.e. an electronic version of the conventional paper-based trading card. These collectable electronic trading cards may be stored on the mobile telephone handset 40 of the user for later viewing, or may be transferred to the internet or swapped with another mobile telephone handset, for example via Bluetooth, SMS or any other suitable means.

If preferred, the electronic trading card content may be designed so as to allow only a specified number of transfers between mobile telephone handsets and the like to take place so as to encourage users to continue to download any of the collectable trading cards that they do not already have in their collection.

8. Scratch-cards with a plurality of users Such games may include many images, such that a first user operates the mobile telephone handset as an electronic scratch-card interface as previously described.

A first user transmits a request for download data and subsequently interacts with a first image on the display screen to reveal a second image on the display screen, taking the user closer to a winning image signalling the end of the game. The first user then forwards the electronic scratch-card download to a second user who, if they want to play the game, transmits a game download request to a base station.

When the download is received, the second user can then interact with the second image on the display screen of their mobile telephone handset, as previously described, to reveal a third image, taking the user a further step closer to a winning image signalling the end of the game. The users continue sequentially forwarding the electronic scratch-card download to further users until finally one of the users interacts with an image on the display screen of the mobile phone to reveal the winning image.

The game may have a variable number of images which need to be revealed before the winning image is revealed, and thus a variable number of forwarding actions of the download between users are required before the winning image is revealed.

Alternatively, when the first user initially passes the download to a second user, and the second user sends a request to a base station for the appropriate game data to play the game and reveal a further image, the first user may be awarded a further complementary download, to encourage continued use of the game.

It is optional whether the first user pays for the initial download and all subsequent downloads, and thus operations of the game by further users as it is passed around until winning image is revealed are without charge. Alternatively, each user requesting the game download may be required to pay individually for each game download received.

9. Location-based services A user of a mobile telephone handset 40 may subscribe or sign up to a location- based service whereby the user requests one or more electronic scratch- card downloads to be sent to their mobile telephone handset 40 as they pass specific predetermined locations, for example, in a town or city. A user subscribed to such a service may subsequently pass, for example, a retail outlet that is currently the subject of a promotional campaign using the electronic scratch-card technology to deliver promotional material to passing users. The location of the user can be detected by means of detecting the location of the mobile telephone handset 40 of the user and, as it is detected that the user is passing the retail outlet, an electronic scratch-card download will be transmitted to the mobile telephone handset 40 of the user on playing the electronic scratch-card game. The image revealed on interaction by the user with a first image may provide any form of marketing material provided by the retail outlet as part of their promotional campaign, such as for example a voucher or free offer, to entice the user into the retail outlet rather than the user simply walking past the retail outlet without entering.

10. Secure Delivery of Private Codes A further application for the electronic scratch-card technology is for the secure delivery of private information, such as for example information relating to bank personal identification numbers (PIN) and the like, by sending a message, for example, by SMS text message to a mobile telephone handset 40 of a user, thereby, prompting a user to request such a download, in combination with perhaps providing some means of identification, such as the answer to a security question.

On receipt of such information, download data may be generated in dependence upon the detected capabilities of the mobile telephone handset 40 and transmitted to the handset 40. The user can then, at their leisure, use the mobile telephone handset 40 as an electronic scratch-card interface, and interact, as previously described, with an initial image provided on the display screen to reveal a second image. The second image may relate to confidential information such a bank PIN numbers or the like.

It will be appreciated that many of the applications of the scratch-card technology may involve download of data which can either remain on the mobile telephone handset 40 of the user or may expire after a predetermined period of time. For example, in the above description relating to the delivery of confidential information, such as PIN numbers and the like, the download image containing the confidential information may include programming such that the image is automatically deleted after reading either once or a specific number of times, or is automatically deleted after a predetermined time interval, to increase the security of the information in the event that the mobile telephone handset is lost or stolen.

In addition, it will be appreciated that after a specified percentage of a first image has been interacted with to reveal a portion of a second image, the whole of the second image may be instantly revealed.

Further, after revealing the second image, the user may be provided with options allowing the user to reveal the whole of the second image, play the electronic scratch-card game again, exit the application, claim a winner's prize, forward the application to another user or any other suitable action which is appropriate to the particular download in question.

11. Point of Sale Security At a point of sale, a purchaser typically inserts their payment card (debit or credit card) and inputs a security PIN number (for example as referred to in section 10 above). Unfortunately, this is often not as secure as could be desired since an individual observing the transaction is often able to view the PIN number being input by the purchaser. If that individual can later access the payment card, for example by theft, they then have sufficient information in order to use that card at a point of sale until such time as the purchaser realises that the payment card is missing and stops further payments being authorised on the card. As will be appreciated, this could take some time and a significant amount of money could have been spent in the meantime.

An additional form of security which could be employed would be to require that the purchaser input both a PEN number (as is currently the case) and a further authorisation code corresponding to the payment card or PIN number. This authorisation code could be supplied to the purchaser on request from their mobile handset and would be delivered to their mobile handset in the form of a scratch card as previously described. The purchaser would then simply move the cursor across the image to reveal the authorisation code which would then also be input at the point of sale. The authorisation code provided would be generated using a real- time cycling ID number system linked to the payment card number and the purchaser's handset telephone number. Thus the authorisation code would be different for the same payment card at different times. So, should a third party observer see the purchaser inputting both the PIN number and authorisation number at the point of sale and subsequently acquire the purchaser's payment card, the third party would be unable to use the card to make further payments as they would not be able to access the current authorisation code without making a request from the purchaser's handset.

As it is rare for a purchaser to lose or have stolen both their credit cards and their mobile handsets without their knowledge, this system provides a secure means of ensuring that only authorised payments are made using payment cards at points of sale.

12. Lottery ticket security As described above, lottery ticket numbers may be generated and forwarded to the handset of a user on request, in the form of an electronic scratch card. Embedded within the scratch card could be an authorisation number which identifies the electronic scratch card which has been delivered to the handset. Thus, when a user goes to a payment station to cash in a winning ticket, or transmits notification of a winning ticket to a provider as a text message, it will only be possible for the user to claim on the winning scratch card once as, after being claimed once, the authorisation number associated with that scratch card will no longer be available for the authorisation of further payments in association with the same electronic scratch card. This provides an additional form of security for the providers of the electronic scratch card technology.

13. Poker aDplications A further use for the scratch-card technology is in games and the like, such as card games including for example poker and blackjack. In such games, additional cards may be required as the game is played to supplement the initial hand of cards that the player is provided with at the start of the game. A request for an additional card or cards may be based on the player's response to the selection of cards making up their hand at the outset of the game.

Additional cards may be provided as part of the screen image when the initial cards are made available to a player. However, these additional cards may be presented as small scratch-card panels with the overall screen image such that the value of the additional cards is concealed. Thus, a player can see the values of the cards provided as part of their initial hand and take the decision on whether to add further cards to their hand in response to the values of the selection of cards they have been given. If an additional card is desired, the player may simply move the screen cursor over any additional scratch-card panel provided on the screen to reveal the value of the additional card, that revealed card being added to the selection of cards making up the player's hand.

Should a player win the game, the player can then make a winning claim from their handset. In order that the winning game may only be successfully used once to make a claim, the transmitted claim may contain a means of validation, such as a history of the game, or an embedded validation code or any other suitable validation means, such that only one claim may be made per winning game event.

It will be appreciated that a validation means such as mentioned above may be applied to any instance of use of the scratch-card technology in a competition environment in order to ensure that only one claim may be made per winning event.

14. Branded handset activation When a user buys a handset, for example from a supermarket or the like, when the handset is first switched on, or at a later time, for the purposes of registration, the welcome screen may reveal an electronic loyalty scratch-card for the user to use to enter their loyalty card number. The number could then be forwarded to a server together with the information required to identify that user's handset. Thus, the supermarket would be able to source the contact details of their customers together with their mobile telephone numbers and, if associated with a loyalty card for in- store use, could then also have full access to the shopping habits of the user. The mobile handset number could then be used to send promotional material and the like to the mobile handset to suit the preferences of the user, such promotional material and the like may take the form of electronic scratch-card communications.

If a loyalty card is not available, the consumer may be required to go through a quick registration process, entering their personal informationinto a "phone owners" field provided on the handset screen as part of the registration process.

This information may include age, interests, gender and/or any other desired personal information. This information could then by stored and subsequently used to enable brands to more effectively communicate with the mobile telephone user, for example, by the provision of promotional scratch-cards for the purposes of targeted marketing, or the provision of any other promotional material such as alerts to special offers and the like.

15. Secure access to a Network or Service Today, it is commonly known for Corporate Networks or Public Internet Services such as but not limited to WiFi hotspots and the like, to require a user or customer to provide a User ID' and/or a password or PIN (personal identification number) to gain access to a Network or Service. Using the scratch-card technology S previously described, ii is possible for the password or PIN to be transmitted to thc handset of the user or customer. In some circumstances, such as but not limited to, pay as you go' access to public services, it would be possible to send both the User ID and authentication (in the form of a password or PIN) to the handset of the user or customer using the scratch-card technology previously described.

Claims

1. A method for providing download data to a mobile terminal, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a download request from a mobile terminal; determining characteristics of the mobile terminal; generating download data in dependence upon the characteristics of the mobile terminal, the download data relating to an image with which a user can interact; and transmitting the download data to a mobile terminal.

2. A method for providing download data to a mobile terminal, wherein the data is delivered over a telecommunications network.

3. A method according to Claim 2, wherein the telecommunications network is a wireless network.

4. A method according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the telecommunications network is a mobile telecommunications network.

5. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the data is delivered over a

6. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the step of receiving the download request precedes the step of transmitting the download data to a mobile terminal by less than eight seconds.

7. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the step of receiving the download request precedes the step of transmitting the download data to a mobile terminal by at least eight seconds.

8. A method according to Claim 7 wherein the step of receiving the download request precedes the step of transmitting the download data to a mobile terminal by at least a day.

9. A method according to Claim 8, wherein the step of receiving the download request precedes the step of transmitting the download data to a mobile terminal by at least a week.

10. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the characteristics of the mobile terminal include the display capabilities of the mobile terminal.

11. A method according to Claim 10, wherein the characteristics of the mobile terminal include display screen size.

12. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the mobile terminal is a mobile telecommunications device.

13. A method according to Claim 12, wherein the mobile telecommunications device is a mobile telephone.

14. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the mobile terminal is a smart phone.

15. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the download data relates to an image determined by the display capabilities of the mobile terminal.

16. A method according to any preceding Claim, further comprising the steps of displaying the image on a display device of the mobile terminal; and receiving user input for interaction with the image.

17. A method according to any preceding Claim wherein the download data relates to a plurality of images.

18. A method according to Claim 17, further comprising the steps of: displaying the first image on a display device of the mobile terminal; receiving a user input to the mobile terminal; and revealing at least a portion of a second image in place of at least a portion of the first image in dependence upon the received user input.

19. A method according to Claim 18 further comprising the steps of: displaying a second image on a display device of the mobile terminal; receiving a user input to the mobile terminal; and revealing at least a portion of a third image in place of at least a portion of the second image in dependence upon the received user input.

20. A method according to Claim 17 further comprising the steps of: displaying an image on a display device of the mobile terminal; receiving further user input to the mobile terminal; and revealing at least a portion of a further image in place of at least a portion of the image already displayed on the display device in dependence upon the received further user input.

21. A method according to any preceding Claim further comprising downloading an SSR application if not present on the mobile telecommunications device.

22. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the download request is received from a mobile terminal.

23. A method according to any preceding Claim wherein the download request is received from a mobile terminal via a telecommunications network.

24. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 21 wherein the download request is received from a server.

25. A method for receiving an image download on a mobile terminal over a telecommunications network, the method comprising: sending a download request to a mobile network; and receiving download data from the network, the download data being generated by the network in dependence upon characteristics of the mobile terminal determined by the network, the download data relating to an image; displaying the image on a display device of the mobile terminal; providing user input to the mobile terminal; and altering at least a portion of the image in dependence upon the received user input.

26. A method for displaying first and second images on a mobile terminal, the method comprising: receiving download data relating to first and second images; displaying the first image on a display device of the mobile terminal; receiving a user input; and revealing at least a portion of the second image in place of at least a portion of the first image in dependence upon the received user input.

27. A method according to Claim 26 further comprising the steps of: receiving further user input; and displaying at least a portion of the third image on a display device of the mobile terminal in place of at least a portion of the second image in dependence upon the received further user input.

28. A method accordingly to Claim 26 or Claim 27, wherein the download data is generated in dependence upon mobile terminal characteristics.

29. A method according to Claim 28, wherein the download data is received from a network, the download data being generated by the network in dependence upon characteristics of the mobile terminal determined by the network.

30. A method for providing download data to a mobile terminal, including supplying requested download data to a mobile terminal wherein the download data relates to an electronic scratch-card.

31. A method according to any one of Claims 26 to 30, wherein at least one of the images is a user-captured image.

32. A mobile telecommunications network comprising a receiver operable to receive a download request from a mobile terminal; a determining unit operable to generate characteristic data relating to characteristics of that mobile terminal; an image generation unit operable to generate download data, relating to an image with which a user can interact, in dependence upon such characteristic data; and a transmitter operable to transmit such generated download data to that mobile terminal.

33. A mobile telecommunications network according to Claim 32 operable to carry out the method of any one of Claims I to 24.

34. A mobile terminal having a display device and a controller operable to: receive an image download relating to an image with which a user can interact and wherein the image is adapted for display on the display device; display an image on the display device; receive a user input; and display a modified image in dependence upon a received user input.

35. A mobile terminal according to Claim 34 wherein the image download relates to first and second images and wherein the controller is operable to display the first device on the display device and reveal a portion of the second image in place of a portion of the first image in dependence upon the received user input.

36. A mobile terminal having a display device and a controller operable to display a first image on the display device, to receive a user input and to display a portion of a second image on the display device in place of a corresponding portion of the first image in dependence upon a received user input.

37. A mobile terminal according to any one of Claims 34 to 36 operable to carry out the method of any one of Claims 25 to 31.

38. A mobile terminal in combination with a mobile telecommunications network according to Claim 32 or Claim 33 for carrying Out the method of any one of Claims 1 to 24.

39. A method for providing an image download to a mobile terminal over a telecommunications network substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying figures.

40. A computer program product comprising computer code portions operable to perform the method of any one of Claims 1 to 24 when loaded onto a suitably programmed computer.

41. A method for receiving an image download on a mobile terminal substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying figures.

42. A method for displaying first and second images on a mobile terminal substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying figures.

43. A mobile telecommunications network substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying figures.

44. A mobile terminal substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying figures.

45. A computer program product substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying figures.